Graduation Program March 2019

Graduation Saint Francis Service Dogs

Sunday, March 24th, 2019

Exceptional dogs for extraordinary people

Saint Francis Service Dogs

Helping people with disabilities to better experience the world through partnership with a service dog

Saint Francis Service Dogs is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist children and adults with disabilities to become more independent and self-sufficient through partnership with a professionally trained service dog.

The organization is also committed to:

• promoting the use and acceptance of service dogs through public and profes-sional education; • providing advocacy for service dog partners; and • supporting the growth of the service dog industry on a national level. Our service area is the Commonwealth of Virginia and the area within a three-hour drive radius of the Saint Francis Facility at 8232 Enon Drive, Roanoke, VA.

Saint Francis Service Dogs is proud to be accredited by Assistance Dogs International.

Purina is a valued supporter of Saint Francis Service Dogs.

A Message From the Executive Director

Welcome to Graduation!

Saint Francis Graduation is a graduation unlike any other you are likely to attend. Yes, there is ceremony. Yes, there are diplomas. Beyond that, our graduation is different. In order to arrive at this point, each of these graduates proved that they are not a victim of any disease, disability, or circumstance. They are the authors of their own fate. They chose to share their lives with unbelievably special dogs, and then they did the work and made the sacrifices required so that they could. Today you will not hear a commencement speech designed to inspire the graduates to face the world ahead of them. There is no need. Our graduates have been living with bravery and integrity for years. They know exactly how to grab life and wring out every drop of love and joy it holds. Unlike a typical graduation ceremony, we will let the graduates speak to us. We are celebrating the beginning of new chapters in their lives. With a Saint Francis Service Dog by their side, we send them into a friendlier world, a world with more opportunities, more joy, and a lot more laughter. We send them into a world that holds a little more love and grace than it did before. Thank you for being here to share in this celebration of all the possibilities that can grow from the love of a talented Saint Francis Service Dog. I hope you will be as inspired by our graduates as I am.

Cabell Youell

GRADUATION 2019

WELCOME

PRESENTATION OF GRADUATING TEAMS

BENEDICTION

RECEPTION

SPECIAL THANKS: John Carlin, Master of Ceremonies

Dedi Spradlin, Amercan Sign Language Interpreter The Reverend Dr. Robert T. Copenhaver, Benediction Elizabeth Nemore, Photography

Tristan & Storm

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Pat Weisse (Breeder) Trampas Wingo (Bland Puppy Raiser) Carol Waters (Trainer)

Ryker & Michael

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Jill Nelson (Breeder) Jason Klein (Bland Puppy Raiser) Susan Maynard (Trainer)

Kathy & Radar

2. BRAAC and April: Kroger

3. Andrew and Lucas: The Clark Foundation/Jack and Anne Glenn Charitable Foundation (no logos)

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDED BY: ZiMS Foundation 4. Kathy and Radar: ZiMS Foundation

SPECIAL THANKS TO: ADI Breeding Cooperative (Breeder) Paul Patterson, Bernard Arthur, and Iesa Quarles (Bland Puppy Raisers) Lesleigh Cook (Trainer)

Amy & Freedom

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Sybille and Mark Nelson (Breeder and Puppy Raisers) Iesa Quarles (Bland Puppy Raiser) Elizabeth Nemore (Trainer)

Andrew & Lucas

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDED BY: The Clark Foundation Anne Glenn Charitable Foundation SPECIAL THANKS TO: ADI Breeding Cooperative (Breeder) Beverly Amsler (Puppy Raiser) Elizabeth Nemore (Trainer)

Eliza Jean & Tahoe

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Pat Weisse (Breeder) Guy Burns (Bland Puppy Raiser) Jenny Cole (Trainer )

Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center & April

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDED BY: Kroger

2. BRAACandApril:Kroger

3. AndrewandLucas:TheClarkFoundation/JackandAnneGlennCharitableFoundation(no logos)

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Colette Jette-Morse (Breeder) Samantha Buteux (Puppy Raiser) Steve Carter (Bland Puppy Raiser) and Nancy Cunningham (Trainer) 4. KathyandRadar:ZiMSFoundation

Charli & Duxi SCHOLARSHIPS:

1. Charli and Duxi: Cabin

SCHOLARSHIPS:

1. CharliandDuxi: CabinFeverCharityEvents/Altec

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDED BY: Cabin Fever Charity Events Altec

SPECIAL THANKS TO: ADI Breeding Cooperative (Breeder) Sybille and Mark Nelson (Puppy Raisers) Eddie Taylor (Bland Puppy Raiser) The Garrido/Berroteran Family (Foster Family) Debbie Clifton (Trainer)

Sponsors

SPONSORS:

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Thank You to our sponsors THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

SPONSORS cont.

Emergency Veterinary Services

Emergency Veterinary Services

Emergency Veterinary Services THE AMY LAUTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

THE AMY LAUTH CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

How does a silly, wiggling puppy evolve into a confident, unflappable, multi-talented Saint Francis Service Dog?

It takes over two years of teaching, training, testing...and love. Lots of love.

From the moment a puppy joins the Saint Francis program, countless hearts and hands join together with one goal in mind: to change the life of its future partner. Whelpers, puppy raisers, puppy sitters, puppy players, dog walkers, groomers, trainers, donors, volunteers, staff…all play their important piece in the puzzle. Everyone falls in love a little bit; everyone’s heart breaks a little bit when it’s time for that puppy to move on to the next step; everyone swells with pride today at graduation when they see these perfect partnerships. Our dogs will be their partner’s trusted aide, helping hand, and constant companion. It’s a big job to put on those furry shoulders, but each person that plays a part in that puppy’s education will help give it tools that it will use to make the world a better place for a man, woman, boy or girl with a disability. We are so grateful for the tireless and loving support of our Saint Francis family.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy Hack: President Courtney Wiegard, DVM: Vice President

Jay O’Keeffe, Esquire: Secretary Jeffrey Barbour, CPA: Treasurer Craig Balzer Kathy Baske Young John Carlin Sally B. Craver, MSW Jo Lynn Draper Carol Downey Mark Finkler, DVM

Anne Jenkins Annette Kirby Paula Mitchell Jim Petrine Nadia Summo Robert Villamil

ADVISORY COUNCIL Faye Gargiulo Diana LoVecchio

Lynn Stivers Janet Taake Kelly Taylor Rhonda Waldrop

STAFF Cabell Youell: Executive Director

Deborah Duerk: Operations Coordinator Marilyn Wilson: Training Program Manager Kathy Marr: Partner Program Manager Debbie Clifton: Trainer Kris Sorensen: Administrative and Volunteer Coordinator Robby Thomas: Kennel Manager

Madeline Bruggeman: IWDR Coordinator Doug Becker: Maintenance and Grounds Bob Lee: Bookkeeper Kaia: Staff Dog

Saint Francis Service Dogs

8232 Enon Drive P.O. Box 19538, Roanoke, VA 24019 Phone: 540.342.3647 Fax: 540.342.0906 www.saintfrancisdogs.org

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